M50ST - European Masters, Valencia 2025
An eclectic mix of players turned out for the inaugural Scottish Thistles 50s squad. Let me explain. As half the 50s national trialists put their hand back down, a travelling squad of 5 x 50s; 3 x 55s and 3 x 60s ..and 3 new ST members: Sergio and GG who are Valencian residents and Er juli who lives in UK but is from Valencia where we met up with his sister. Injuries then meant we called up the M50N manager, John Cowie (a Scotland M55 National player), as an official (WMH) injury reserve.
It was a tough start, M50N Ireland, England, Germany, Wales in front of this eclectic mix. Because of the competition format all that mattered before the tourney, during the tourney and when it came to it was the Wales B game. This defined the squad, losers and boozers or competitors and winners. However we avoided the ignominy of turney up Bronze and earned a Silver. One down at half time; 3rd Qtr Andrew Bell knocked in a great left handed goal after fine build up play and in the last Qtr Er Juli took a free hit 7m outside the D, travelled right, entered D and put it top left to extinguish the Dragons breath.
With an embryonic squad, injuries and ultimately FOUR levels of differing age groups we actually gelled and excelled for which everyone should be proud of their individual contribution. GHK’s Captain Shankland, complete with Thistle tattoo, embellished the Braveheart spirit. Over the competition, his Man of the Match awards (we dont talk about the England games) ….were:-
Ireland- Ewan Reid (GK)
Germany- Dougie Mann (GK)
Wales - Alan Brannen
Wales B - Er Juli (for the winning goal)
We also have to mention Team Chitty (Ian and Sally) who travelled as Manager and Asst Manager until the last game against Wales B when Sally stepped back into her Manager role that she had made her own during the M55ST well earned Bronze weirdly at 2023 Euros in Valencia ! Ian himself was called into action to keep us at 11 players (or 10 1/2 thanks to my leg injury). As a O65 in a albeit B game but at M50 level he made an amazing contribution.
Finally, I come to my man of the tournament, Derek Linden, as an O60 outfielder he rose to the occasion, (sometimes against 49 yr olds !!) operated where needed and held his own. There was even skilled entertainment which brought English applause 🤗🤗 (and he milked it!!)
As Derek and Dougie (M60N); Ewan (M55N) and myself, Larry, Alan and Simon (M55ST) with Carlos in either M60N or M60ST now prepare for the Nottingham M55/60 Euros in August I’m sure we will have all benefited from the Valencian experience. Always learning. Onwards and Upwards. 👍💪🏑🏴
